Contents

Description

The Black Knight was introduced in 2578 as a front-line command BattleMech for the Star League Defense Force at the company and battalion level. Its advanced communications gear allowed the Black Knight to effortlessly coordinate an entire company of 'Mechs simultaneously, and could easily link into the command frequencies of its parent regiment and orbital support satellites. The loss of Kong's orbital factory in 2802 forced the company to produce a less advanced version of Black Knight for a time, though the recovery of lostech has allowed for improved variants to be produced.

The Black Knight is a 'Mech that appears to be a jack-of-all-trades, with an all-energy weapon configuration that allows it to operate for long periods without re-supply. Thirteen tons of armor protection on an Endo Steel frame also allows the Black Knight to stand up to a great deal of punishment, while its Beagle Active Probe gives it the ability to function equally well as a heavy scout. The main drawback of the design is its use of single heat sinks, though the fact it mounts twenty of them means the Black Knight is still able to dissipate a great deal of the heat produced by its weapons. However, if the 'Mech finds itself in a protracted combat situation, a less experienced MechWarrior unskilled at heat management can find themselves in trouble.

Armament

As mentioned before, the Black Knight is an all energy weapon 'Mech, with a Magna Hellstar II PPC serving as its primary weapon. Backing up the PPC are two McCorkel Large Lasers that can inflict a great deal of damage as the Black Knight closes with its enemy. Finally, for close range fighting, the 'Mech employs four Maxell DT Medium Lasers and a single Magna Small Laser.

Variants

BL-6-RR - This variant makes use of clan grade weaponry. The standard medium lasers and PPC of the BL-6-KNT are swapped for clantech ER medium lasers and ER PPC. The lighter particle cannon allows an additional single heat sink. BV (2.0) = 1,954[3]

BL-7-KNT - The BL-7 Black Knight is the downgraded version of the 'Mech produced during the Succession Wars. The Endo Steel chassis was replaced with a standard version which, while keeping the weapons payload and engine the same, required a reduction in overall armor protection by two tons. BV (1.0) = 1,106[5], BV (2.0) = 1,443[6]

BL-7-KNT-L - This is a field modification from the Free Worlds League during the Succession Wars. Because of the scarcity of PPCs within that realm Black Knights with a damaged PPC would have that weapon replaced with a Large Laser, with the extra space and weight left over allowing for two additional heat sinks to be added. BV (2.0) = 1,409[7]

BL-9-KNT - One of the so-called "Clanbuster" refits developed by ComStar in the lead-up to the Battle of Tukayyid, this variant has been equipped with an XL Engine, allowing it to mount an upgraded and heavier weapons load. The PPC has been upgraded to an Magna Sunspot ER PPC and the medium lasers have been switched to Aberdovey Medium Pulse Lasers, with a Aberdovey Large Pulse Laser added to the design as well, while the Small Laser and Beagle Active Probe have been removed. To handle the heavier heat load, the heat sinks have been upgraded to double strength versions. In addition, for close-in work, the Black Knight has had a long-sword shaped Hatchet added, allowing it to make devastating physical attacks. [8] BV (1.0) = 1,222[5], BV (2.0) = 1,678

BL-12-KNT - The BL-12 was probably the most technologically advanced version of the Black Knight leading up to the Jihad. While still based on the original BL-6 model this design goes in a completely different direction from the BL-9. The first thing that was done to the BL-12 was the upgrade of all of the medium lasers and the PPC to extended range versions, then its single heat sinks were upgraded to double strength versions, reducing the total number from twenty to sixteen. Finally, all of the weapons were mated to a Targeting Computer. BV (1.0) = 1,450[9], BV (2.0) = 1,840[4]

BLK-NT-2Y - Another Dark Age version of the Black Knight, the -2Y is equipped with an XL Engine that drives it to 54km/h. The weight freed by the XL engine is used to add a Beagle Active Probe, Guardian ECM Suite, and C3 Slave unit. It has thirteen and a half tons of armor to protect an Endo-Composite skeleton. It is also equipped with a Targeting Computer, and a Medium Shield is carried on the right arm. Offensively, it mounts a PPC, two large lasers, and three medium lasers. All equipment is of Inner Sphere quality. BV (2.0)=1,847[11]

BLK-NT-3A - This version was also introduced during the Dark Age. It uses the Endo-Composite structure of the other models and is protected by the same thirteen and a half tons of armor, but has a larger XL engine that gives it a top speed of 64km/h. It also carries a Medium Shield on the right arm, and its weapon array consists of a pair of ER Large Lasers, four ER Medium Lasers, and a pair of ER Small Lasers. It also carries a single Flamer for anti-infantry work. It lacks the electronics of other versions, and carries nineteen double heat sinks. Again, all equipment is of Inner Sphere manufacture. BV(2.0)=1,707[12]

BLK-NT-3B - This version uses the same Endo-Composite skeleton and XL Engine of the 3A variant above. Its weapons array has been modified however. Keeping the right arm mounted Medium Shield, this variant carries twin ER PPCs, two ER Small Lasers, twin Small Pulse Lasers, and a pair of Small Lasers. This version has also been equipped with seventeen double heat sinks. For increased speed and strength, the 3B version uses Triple Strength Myomer. BV (2.0)=1,911[13]

BLK-NT-4D - This version is equipped with an ER PPC, two ER Medium Pulse Lasers, two ER Small Lasers, and two Small Pulse Lasers, all made to Clan specifications. This Black Knight also carries a Plasma Rifle in each arm, which use three tons of ammunition. The Medium Shield and thirteen and a half tons of armor protect the Endo-Composite structure. An Angel ECM Suite provides electronic warfare support, and eighteen Clan-spec double heat sinks keep the 'Mech running cool. Its max speed is 54km/h. BV (2.0)=2,280[14]

Custom Variants

BL-6-KNT Black Knight Ian - Downgraded during the technological decline of the Succession Wars era, the personal 'Mech of the McKinnon family was selected to receive among the first experimental weapons developed from the Helm Memory Core by the New Avalon Institute of Science, thanks to the exploits of Fox's Teeth commander Ian McKinnon. When piloted by Ian during the War of 3039, the 'Mech was clad in prototype Ferro-Fibrous armor and the standard heat sinks outside the engine were replaced with corrosive 3039 era double heat sinks. These weight savings, along with the removal of the head-mounted small laser, allowed the 'Mech to carry a Hatchet whose damage was boosted by the addition of Triple Strength Myomers[15]. BV (2.0) = 1,830[16]

BL-10-KNT Black Knight Ross - Given to Ross McKinnon upon his father's retirement in 3051, the family 'Mech continued to be upgraded with the latest technology. By the FedCom Civil War the right arm and torso weaponry of Ross's 'Mech was upgraded to extended range models, with the triple strength myomers and hatchet retained. The use of production grade Ferro-Fibrous and double heat sinks, along with downgrading the Large Lasers to Medium Pulse Lasers and the left arm medium for an ER Small Laser, freed up enough weight for a Targeting Computer to be added[17]. BV (2.0) = 2,072[18]